The Element

Today, we start Sir Ken Robinson's magnificent The Element.

Here are some key quotes from the first chapter (followed by questions you may choose to develop into a short essay for Wednesday):

Page 4 - "She just needed to be who she really was."

Question: So, who are you, really? And what is it that you do that allows you feel most like your true self?

Page 7 - ". . . the importance of finding early in life the work that for you is play."

Questions: Why do you think finding work that seems like play is important? How much 'play' do you have in your life?


Page 8 - "The Element: the place where the things you love to do and the things that you are good at come together."

Questions: What is your element? If you don't know, what things do you love to do? What things are you good at? How can you bring these together?

Page 9 - Why don't people find their elements?
A. Take fro granted the range of capabilities
B. Capabilities are related.
C. Our potential for growth (life is not linear)

Question: What obstacles to finding your element have you encountered?

Page 11 - "Too many [students] graduate or leave early, unsure of their real talents and equally unsure of what direction to take next."

Question: On a scale of 1-10, how does the above quote describe you? Explain that.

Page 16 - "Most students never get to explore the full range of their abilities and interests."

Question: If this is true, how can you most to 'explore the full range' of your 'abilities and interests' over the next four or five years?

Page 21 - People who are in their element "find that time passes differently and that they are more alive, more centered, and more vibrant than at any other times."

Question: Write about a time when you were in your element.

Finally, Robinson states that "The Element has two features, and there are two conditions for being in it. The features are aptitude and passion. The conditions are attitude and opportunity."

For aptitude, Robinson states, "We don't know who we can be until we know what we can do" (23).

Question: So, who is it that you can become and what is it that you can do?

For passion, Robinson states,"People who are in their Element take a deep delight and pleasure in what they do" (24).

Question: Write about someone who you believe to be in their element (okay, so that's not a question, but you know what I mean).

For attitude, Robinson states, "People who love what they do often describe themselves as lucky. People think they're not successful in their lives often say they've been unlucky."

Questions: Do you believe in luck? Do you know of anyone who is definitely not in their element and is having a miserable time because of it? Write about them.

For opportunity, Robinson states, "Being in your element often means being connected with other people who share the same passions and have a common sense of commitment. In practice, this means actively seeking opportunities to explore your aptitude in different fields" (25).

Question: do you interact with a group of people that makes you feel like this?

More from Robinson in person, via TED Talks.